For those familiar with Down These Mean Streets, reading Piri Thomas' new book, Savior, Savior, Hold My Hand is an interesting but disappointing experience…. [While] the former is strong and vital, the latter never really comes together as a living unified work.

Theoretically it is the sequel which should be the more powerful. It recounts the struggle in the early 1960's of a young Puerto Rican, embittered by poverty, drug addiction, prison and racism, to establish in his life some degree of unity and meaningfulness….

Accompanying his religious conversion is an awakening social consciousness which … leads him to accept a position as counsellor in a street club begun by another ex-con and convert to Christianity, John Clause.

From this point on, the story revolves mainly around Thomas' activities as an organizer among teen-aged blacks, Puerto Ricans and Italians, and the growing tension and ultimate break with Clause. An...